They also assisted each other’s goals in the victory, United’s first against Houston in eight regular-season or playoff games in more than two years.

United (5-3-3) moved ahead of the Dynamo (5-6-2) and into second place in the Eastern Conference.

Goalkeeper Bill Hamid made three saves to preserve his second shutout of the season and United’s fourth.

Houston has failed to score in four road games against Eastern Conference opponents, losing three and drawing the other.

Houston was without World Cup call-ups Brad Davis (United States) and Boniek Garcia (Honduras), and also lost forward Mark Sherrod to an apparent left knee injury in the 11th minute.

Sherrod’s replacement, Brian Ownby, was sent off by referee Alan Kelly in second-half stoppage time.

Rolfe scored in the 28th minute after Espindola spun around defender Jermaine Taylor to create a breakaway from Lewis Neal’s throw-in. Rolfe reached Espindola’s cross, cut back to evade David Horst and fired in a low finish for his third goal of the season, one shy of his 2013 total with Chicago.

It was Rolfe’s first start at forward this season while Eddie Johnson served a one-game suspension. Rolfe played most of his seven previous matches with D.C. in midfield.

Espindola scored in the 63rd minute on a counterattack set up by Rolfe’s long feed moments after Houston’s Will Bruin appeared to have a good chance on the other end.